Lincoln Truck Accident Lawyer
Legally Reviewed By: Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner At Knowles Law Firm
A collision with a commercial truck can change your life in an instant. These vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, and when something goes wrong on the road, the results are often catastrophic. Knowles Law Firm has served injury victims across Nebraska for over 55 years, and our Lincoln personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for you. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck and Bus crash facts, Nebraska ranks among the states with the highest percentage of large trucks involved in fatal crashes.
As a family-owned practice, every attorney at Knowles Law Firm is a member of the Knowles family. That means your case is handled with the kind of personal commitment you will not find at a large billboard firm. Our attorneys answer their own phones, return calls promptly, and provide their personal cell phone numbers so you can reach them when it matters most.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
The size and weight difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle creates an extreme disparity in crash outcomes. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 20 to 30 times more than the average car. At highway speeds, that weight means longer stopping distances, greater force on impact, and far more severe injuries for people in smaller vehicles. Even a low-speed collision with a large commercial truck can cause fractures, spinal damage, and head trauma that would not occur in a typical car-to-car crash.
Beyond weight, commercial trucks carry risks that standard vehicles do not. Shifting cargo can cause sudden loss of control. Mechanical failures, especially brake system problems, are more common on heavy-duty vehicles that are not properly maintained. When a trucking company pushes drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, fatigue becomes a serious danger for everyone on the road.
Why Are Truck Accident Cases Different From Car Accident Cases?
Truck accidents are legally and factually more involved than standard car accident cases. Commercial trucking is regulated by federal law, and violations of those rules often directly contribute to crashes. Multiple parties may share liability, and the evidence needed to build a strong case must be gathered quickly before it disappears.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Lincoln Truck Accident?
Liability in a truck accident case can extend beyond the driver alone. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include:
- The truck driver: if fatigue, distracted driving, or speeding contributed to the crash
- The trucking company: if it failed to properly hire, train, or supervise its drivers
- A third-party maintenance company: if a mechanical failure caused or worsened the accident
- A cargo loading company: if improperly secured freight caused the truck to lose control
Identifying every liable party is critical to recovering the full compensation you may be owed. Our attorneys act quickly to preserve key evidence, including electronic data from the truck’s onboard systems, driver logbooks, dashcam footage, and maintenance records.
What Evidence Matters Most in a Lincoln Truck Accident Claim?
Collecting the right evidence early is one of the most important steps in a truck accident case. Commercial trucks are equipped with technology that records critical data, but that information can be overwritten or lost if action is not taken fast.
What Types of Evidence Can Support Your Case?
Strong truck accident claims are built on documentation that establishes how the crash happened and who was at fault. Key evidence includes:
- Event data recorder information
- Engine and powertrain control module data
- DOT logbooks showing hours of service
- Dashcam footage
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Your medical records and bills
The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm know how to obtain and protect this evidence so it can be used to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Be Careful With Insurance Companies After a Truck Accident
Shortly after a truck accident, you may be contacted by an insurance adjuster representing the trucking company. These calls often feel routine and low-stakes, but they are not. Insurance companies are looking for statements they can use to reduce your claim or shift blame onto you. Do not provide a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer before speaking with an attorney.
The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm manage all communications with insurance companies on your behalf. That way, you can focus on recovering while we handle the negotiation strategies insurers rely on to minimize payouts.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Lincoln?
Semi-trucks and commercial vehicles cause some of the most severe crashes on Nebraska roads. A number of preventable factors contribute to many of these accidents.
- Driver fatigue: Federal Hours of Service rules limit driving time, but pressure from carriers to meet tight deadlines leads to violations
- Distracted driving: Taking eyes or attention off the road even briefly at highway speeds can be deadly in a large commercial vehicle
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Worn brakes, balding tires, and faulty lighting are common when companies cut corners on upkeep
- Improperly secured loads: Overloaded or poorly loaded trailers shift during transit and cause drivers to lose control
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Commercial vehicles take far longer to stop than passenger cars, making excessive speed especially dangerous
- Insufficient driver training: Carriers that hire undertrained drivers create avoidable risk for everyone sharing the road
When one of these factors caused your crash, the truck driver, the trucking company, or a third party may be responsible for your injuries. Our attorneys investigate every contributing factor to hold the right parties accountable.
What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Because of their size and weight, collisions with commercial trucks often produce injuries far more serious than those in typical car accidents. Some injuries are immediately apparent, while others may not surface for days after the crash.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
The force of impact in a truck collision frequently injures the spine. These injuries range from herniated discs and compression fractures to complete or partial paralysis. Even injuries that do not affect mobility can cause chronic pain and limit your ability to work.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head trauma is common when victims are thrown around inside a vehicle or struck by debris. Traumatic brain injuries can affect memory, cognition, mood, and physical function, sometimes permanently.
Broken Bones and Fractures
The force of a collision with an 80,000-pound vehicle can fracture arms, legs, ribs, and even the skull. Complex fractures often require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
Internal Injuries
Internal bleeding and organ damage may not show obvious symptoms immediately after a crash. These injuries are serious and can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated quickly.
Wrongful Death
Some truck accidents are fatal. If you lost a family member in a truck crash, Knowles Law Firm can help you pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for your loss.
Hurt in a Lincoln Truck Accident?
Knowles Law Firm has recovered millions for Nebraska injury victims. Our family-owned practice answers their own phones and fights for the results you deserve. No fees unless we win.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in Lincoln?
The steps you take in the hours and days following a truck accident can affect your ability to recover compensation. Here is what matters most.
First, seek medical attention right away, even if you do not feel seriously hurt. Some injuries do not present symptoms immediately, and a medical record from shortly after the accident creates an important link between the crash and your injuries. Second, report the accident to law enforcement and get a copy of the police report. Third, document as much as you can at the scene, including photographs of vehicle positions, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Finally, contact a truck accident attorney before speaking with any insurance company. The trucking company’s insurer may reach out quickly, but you are not required to provide a statement without legal guidance.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Truck Accident in Lincoln?
The injuries caused by truck accidents are often severe. Victims may suffer broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other life-altering harm. In the most serious cases, families face the devastating loss of a family member, which may give rise to a wrongful death claim.
Compensation in a truck accident case may cover:
- Medical expenses and future care costs
- Lost wages and future lost earning capacity
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Nebraska follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning you may still recover damages as long as you are not found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident. Our attorneys evaluate every aspect of your losses to pursue a result that reflects the true impact of your injuries.
How Does Distracted Driving Contribute to Truck Accidents?
Driver error is the leading cause of commercial truck accidents. Distracted driving is a major factor, along with driver fatigue, speeding, and impairment. Federal Hours of Service regulations are designed to limit how long a driver can operate a truck without rest, but violations are common. When a trucking company pressures drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, the risk to everyone on the road increases significantly.
If there is evidence that a driver violated federal safety regulations, that information can be powerful in establishing liability. Our team investigates every angle of your case to determine whether negligence by the driver, the company, or both contributed to your accident.
Over 55 Years Fighting for Nebraska Families
Knowles Law Firm is a family-owned practice where every attorney is a Knowles. We have secured multi-million dollar results for accident victims throughout Nebraska, and we take truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
Can I Afford a Lincoln Truck Accident Lawyer?
Knowles Law Firm handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no financial risk to pursue your claim. Our attorneys only get paid when you do, so we are fully invested in getting you the best possible outcome.
If you are uncertain whether you have a case, a free consultation is the right first step. We will review the facts, explain your options, and give you an honest assessment at no cost.
Contact Knowles Law Firm for a Free Lincoln Truck Accident Consultation
Truck accident claims require swift action and thorough preparation. From preserving electronic evidence to identifying every liable party, the steps you take in the days and weeks following a crash can have a significant impact on your case. Knowles Law Firm has the experience and dedication to guide you through this process.
If you were hurt in a truck accident in Lincoln, do not wait to get legal help. Reach out to Knowles Law Firm today by completing our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our family has been fighting for Nebraska injury victims for over 55 years, and we are here to put that experience to work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lincoln Truck Accident Claims
What is the statute of limitations for truck accident claims in Nebraska?
In Nebraska, you generally have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Missing this deadline means losing your right to seek compensation entirely. It is always better to act sooner. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and the electronic data from a truck’s onboard systems can be overwritten. Contacting an attorney quickly gives your case the best possible foundation.
Who can be held liable in a Lincoln truck accident?
Liability in a truck accident often extends beyond just the driver. Depending on the facts of your case, responsible parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company that employed them, a third-party maintenance company if equipment failure contributed to the crash, or a cargo loading company if improperly secured freight caused the truck to lose control. Our attorneys investigate all potentially liable parties to pursue the full compensation you may be owed.
Should I give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance?
No. Insurance adjusters working for trucking companies are trained to ask questions that may reduce your claim or shift blame onto you. A statement that seems harmless can be used against you later. You are not required to provide a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney. The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm handle all communications with insurers on your behalf so your rights are protected from the start.
What if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?
Nebraska follows a modified comparative fault rule. You may still recover compensation as long as you are found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident. Your award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your damages totaled $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. An attorney can help ensure fault is assessed fairly and that the trucking company does not overstate your role in the crash.
How much is my truck accident claim worth?
The value of a truck accident claim depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, how long you are unable to work, your current and future medical costs, and the impact on your quality of life. Because truck accidents often cause serious injuries, claims can be substantial. An attorney can evaluate all of your damages, including those you may not have considered, to pursue a result that reflects the full impact of what happened.
What evidence is most important in a truck accident case?
Commercial trucks carry electronic data that is critical in these cases. The event data recorder captures speed, braking, and other data from before the crash. Driver logbooks document hours of service and whether federal rest requirements were followed. Dashcam footage, maintenance records, and cargo loading documentation can also be decisive. This evidence can be overwritten or destroyed if action is not taken quickly, which is why contacting an attorney right away matters.
Can I afford to hire a Lincoln truck accident attorney?
Yes. Knowles Law Firm handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront fees and no financial risk to get started. Your first consultation is free, and we will give you an honest assessment of your case at no cost.
What if the truck was owned by a large national carrier?
Large trucking companies carry substantial insurance and have legal teams focused on minimizing payouts. That is exactly why having experienced representation matters. The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm know how to go up against large carriers, gather the evidence needed to build a strong case, and negotiate or litigate for the compensation you deserve.
About Our Attorney
Robert M. Knowles
Attorney & Partner at Knowles Law Firm
Robert has tried cases in both state and federal courts and was selected as one of the top 100 litigation lawyers in Nebraska for 2014 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. Less than 1.5 percent of lawyers nationally are selected for this recognition. He is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating an attorney can obtain. He was also selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2019 Top Rated Lawyer.
Menu
